Aston University supports Universities Week 2012

30 April 2012

Aston University is supporting Universities Week 2012, a national campaign which aims to increase public awareness of the wide and varied role of the UK’s universities. This year’s campaign will look at the contribution that our universities make – and have always made – to the Olympic movement, the sports industry and society as whole.

Throughout the week events will take place at Aston University and at universities across the UK to showcase the diverse ways in which universities have engaged with the Olympic and Paralympic Games – from sports training, research and development to the university-led Cultural Olympiad and volunteering projects that will support the London 2012 sporting events.

Universities Week will culminate with the BUCS VISA Outdoor Athletics Championships (OAC), a London 2012 test event as part of the London Prepares Series.

Professor Julia King, Vice-Chancellor of Aston University, said: “Universities Week 2012 is an excellent opportunity to showcase some of the fantastic work universities are contributing to the world of sport, which is especially apt with the Olympic Games taking place in the UK this year. Aston has a range of activities planned to support the national campaign and ‘Expanding Horizons: Aston’s Year of Transforming Lives’ is the University’s commitment to exploring how London 2012 is positively influencing the campus community at Aston. We will also celebrate the many ways in which our staff, students and alumni are contributing to the Olympics through volunteering initiatives. The week provides the perfect opportunity to let people experience university life first-hand, whether they’ve studied at university themselves or not.”

Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive, Universities UK, said: “From supporting top athletes to providing training facilities for students and local communities, producing world-class sporting research and hosting Olympic teams from across the globe, universities are working together to contribute to the UK’s Olympic effort. Once again with Universities Week we hope to show that it is not just students who benefit from university, but the whole of UK society.”

Karen Rothery, Chief Executive Officer of BUCS, added: “British Universities & Colleges Sport’s vision is to enhance the student experience through sport – what better way could there be than competing in the Olympic stadium itself during Universities Week? And Britain’s students will be able to do just that. Sport is taking centre stage in the UK and is enjoying its highest profile for many years. This week is an amazing opportunity for BUCS student athletes, their friends and families and the broader communities to show how their lives are improved by taking part in sport.”

Universities Week 2012 is a partnership by Universities UK, the representative organisation for the UK’s universities, and BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport), the national governing body for higher education sport in the UK. It is supported by universities across the UK and a wide range of organisations including Podium, the National Union of Students, Research Councils UK, the Universities Marketing Forum, the Higher Education Funding Council for England and many more.

This is the third Universities Week and follows last year’s successful campaign, which saw 110 universities and 52 renowned ambassadors take part in showcasing the work of the higher education sector.